On the Scene
The 13th annual Door County Plein Air brings together 39 of the nation’s top plein air artists.
The Peninsula School of Art presents its yearly Door County Plein Air, an event that celebrates the beauty of the summer months in the picturesque scenery of Door County, Wisconsin. The weeklong invitational hosts 39 talented artists from across the country bringing their palettes, paints, brushes and knives to depict the idyllic outdoors during a variety of events going on all week starting Monday, July 22.
“Door County is specifically known for its caliber of artists we attract to the event. I think the other piece is the opportunity you have as an attendee to meet and connect with artists throughout the week. I think that’s one of the things that makes us so special,” says Catherine Hoke, executive director at the Peninsula School of Art. She adds that there are designated artists demonstrations throughout the week as well, where visitors can watch the artists at work firsthand. “Door County has been an arts destination for more than 100 years,” she says, describing the dynamic landscaping of the area. “Maritime, water views, pastoral scenes, beaches and barns—I think there’s a lot of variety in subject matter. We have a reputation for one of the best plein air events in the country as far as collectors are concerned.”
Hoke says that when planning the event, they strive to invite at least 30 to 40 percent of new artists to the show, allowing collectors to meet a diversity of artists. Artists at the 2019 Door County
Plein Air include Jill Basham, Kathie Odom, Bob Upton, Bill Fletcher and Debra Joy Groesser, with newcomers Jim McVicker, Michele Byrne, Kurt Anderson, Lyn Boyer, Alison Leigh Menke and Steve Monske, among others. Events throughout the week include a quick paint and live auction, a dockside quick paint, various artist demonstrations and more.
At the special collector’s preview on Friday, July 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., those with the all-access “Palette Pass” have first opportunity to view artwork created that week. The gala and live auction runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
“It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year,” says Hoke. “I really love the camaraderie between the artists themselves and how it brings the community together around visual arts.”